I don’t know about you but when it comes to mattresses I feel a bit like Goldilocks – they’re either too hard, too soft or too… well, just not right! I’m a pretty good sleeper but there have been many times over the years that I’ve woken up either sunk down on one side of the bed or feeling like I’ve gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson, and I couldn’t work out if it was part of getting older or if I was just making really bad decisions when it came to mattresses. As it turns out, it was probably a bit of both.
I remember going to stay at a really beautiful hotel about a year ago and thinking, ‘I want a mattress like this!’ It really highlighted that the one we had just wasn’t the best it could be – and don’t we all deserve to have a mattress that makes us feel relaxed and cushioned? I mean, we spend around a third of our lives in bed, so shouldn’t this be a really important decision and not just an off-the-cuff purchase without any research? Obviously, we can all google ‘best mattress’ and read online reviews, but the thing is, what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another – so the only one that can choose YOUR best mattress is you. Sleep is so important – for our health, our wellbeing, and to some degree our sanity! – so it’s only right that the mattress is going to play a very big part in that.
I’d say I’d given up a bit by this point, though. The mattress we had at the time was okay – but it wasn’t amazing. I didn’t get into bed and ‘sink’ in with a contented sigh like they do in adverts and I’d resigned myself to the fact that it was ‘fine’ and probably the best I was going to get. If I’m honest, was it something I gave a lot of thought to? No. And did I assume that it wouldn’t make much of a difference? Well, yes. Are any of you the same? Skip on six months, however, and when Tempur (the number one mattress brand in Europe) asked if I’d be interested in trying one of its designs, you can imagine how quickly I said yes, can’t you? As soon as that excitement arrived, so too did the pressure to choose the right design: What if I got it wrong? What if I picked a mattress and didn’t like it – would I be able to send it back? Would I have wasted people’s time?
Well, I needn’t have worried. The hour or so I spent in the Tempur store at Westfield was so relaxing – and interesting – that I actually felt really excited and confident in my choice when I walked (or should I say floated?) away. Confidence plays a big part when it comes to picking a mattress and I doubt I’m the only one that doesn’t relish the thought of trying out mattresses in front of other people – it feels so personal, doesn’t it? Luckily, Tempur make the whole experience – and I can’t stress this enough – enjoyable, to the point where I actually think they should make it ‘a thing’ that you can go in and just lay down for a power-nap mid-shop! I kid you not. I learnt a lot too… for example, did you know that Tempur material was first created by NASA back in the 1970s, to cushion and support astronauts during lift-off? That’s how good the technology is! They don’t just make mattresses either – the range includes beds, pillows, and tons of sleep accessories, all designed to help you have the best sleep you possibly can.
Anyway, I digress… the store manager showed me around and talked me through the different mattresses and gave me some really good tips, which I wanted to share with you (below). I genuinely think that if I’d known more about how to choose a mattress it would have stood me in much better stead for previous purchases. After much bouncing around and switching positions on the beds, I opted for the Tempur Cloud Elite mattress– it’s extra soft, nice and deep, and what I love about it is that I don’t have to turn it (ever!) and it has a zip-off cover to protect it.
As the name suggests, it’s like laying on a bed of clouds. Seriously sinkable! We’ve had the mattress for over two months now and I am so happy with it – every night feels like a luxury hotel stay! I’d also like to add that I live with an insomniac, who is extremely picky and finds it really hard to sleep, so there’s lots of tossing and turning, and even he has only had good things to say about it. Will we be sending it back? That will be a big fat no!
Also, our delivery for the mattress was scheduled during the first few weeks of lockdown and the Tempur team were brilliant – they kept me updated on when it would arrive and, at a time when many furniture deliveries were cancelled due to couriers not being able to work together, Tempur reassured me that it was using a same-household team to deliver its products. The team checked whether I’d be happy to bring the mattress into my home myself (usually they would do that, but obviously social distancing was put in place, so that wasn’t an option), which I was. They couldn’t have been more helpful, and the mattress was delivered on time to two very happy customers when they couldn’t have needed it more.
During the pandemic, when stress was paramount, it had never felt so important to be able to have a bedroom that was a soothing sanctuary – somewhere I could retreat to, to tune out and get some much-needed Z’s. Tempur, we salute you – not only are your mattresses top-notch, but so is your customer service and I can see why people go back to you time and again.
Funnily enough, it has only been since having a quality mattress that I’ve realised just how important the whole sleep experience thing is and how much difference having the right mattress does actually make. Budget is often a factor when buying, and although Tempur isn’t the cheapest (nor is it the most expensive), I can honestly say that they are worth every single penny and I’m tempted to invest in the pillows now as well. Would I genuinely recommend them to friends and family? Yes – and I have.
So, for those of you that are considering buying a new mattress, here are a few tips to keep in mind…
- Look at How You Sleep
First off, before you start testing new mattresses, it’s worth considering your preferred sleeping position – something that most of us might not think about beforehand. Why is this important? Well, the aim is to find a mattress that feels comfortable and supportive while keeping your spine and neck in a neutral position, and the way you sleep can affect this. For example, if you’re a side sleeper you will need a slightly softer mattress that allows your shoulders and hips to sink in without causing any uncomfortable pressure points, whereas if you sleep on your back, ideally there should be no gap between your lower back and the mattress.So, in the weeks beforehand, check your sleep position and keep in mind where you’re going to need support the most.
- Test The Mattresses Out in Store
Go down the traditional route and try before you buy in a store – it’s the best way to find a mattress that’s right for you. Spend at least 10 minutes lying down on a variety of designs to check you don’t feel any pressure or aches and pains – a few minutes really isn’t long enough. I tried out all the designs in the Tempur shop and once I’d finished I whittled it down to my favourite two and did a second round of testing, to make sure I knew which one was working for me best. If the mattress is for yourself and a partner, it’s also a good idea to take them with you and try it together, as you’ll both sleep in different ways and you’ll need to ensure you’re both happy.
If you can’t buy in store, for whatever reason, then purchase online, but remember to check the returns policy (see point number five), just in case it isn’t right and you need to do an exchange. You can find Tempur online at tempur.co.uk or buy its mattresses at Dreams, John Lewis, Bensons for Beds, Furniture Village and Land of Beds.
- Measure Your Bed Frame
If you’re not changing your bed frame at the same time, it’s always worth measuring to check your chosen mattress will be the perfect fit, as different brands can have furniture of varying sizes. There’s nothing worse than having one delivered only to find it’s too big or small for your existing bed!
- Choose Your Mattress Type
There are several different types of mattress, but usually you’ll be choosing between memory foam and pocket sprung designs. Pocket sprung are the traditional type, with a bouncy feel but with reduced movement, whereas memory foam mattresses are often firmer, with flexible back support no matter what your sleeping position. Tempur has its own technology, with mattresses moulding to your body shape and reacting to body temperature. They also relieve any pressure points, align the spine, and provide the correct level of support.
One thing to remember is that if you haven’t slept on a memory foam mattress before, it can take a little time to get used to. It’s not for everyone, either, so you could always ease yourself in with a hybrid mattress – one that combines the benefits of memory foam with the feel of a traditional sprung mattress.
- Check the Return Policy
Let’s face it, mattresses aren’t the cheapest purchase, so you need to be 100% sure that it’s right. But what if, after a couple of weeks, you realise it’s giving you back ache, or you could have done with a slightly softer or firmer design? Most companies allow you 60 days to try your mattress out, but Tempur are so confident you’ll have the best night’s sleep of your life with its designs that it has a policy allowing you to try one in your home for up to 100 nights! I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel pretty reassured that they are confident of their product and committed to helping the customer have the best experience they can.
Happy mattress hunting!
*Mattress gifted/post part of a collaboration with Tempur.
